Royals in the community

Royals Charities to host 50/50 Raffle for each home game in 2013; Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Program returns for seventh season

By / MLB.com

KANSAS CITY, MO (April 5, 2013) - As the Kansas City Royals return to the field for the 2013 season, the club continues to be active in the Kansas City community and region. Below is a listing of community efforts during the first homestand, highlighted by the expansion of the 50/50 Raffle program presented by Edelman & Thompson to each home game with proceeds split between fan winners and Royals Charities. The Royals also celebrate the return of the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat program for its seventh season.

Greater Kansas City Day - The Royals team up with more than 1,200 volunteers to sell a special Royals edition of The Kansas City Star throughout the city. Proceeds from the sales help send kids to Rotary Youth Camp and support other deserving children's charities. Royals Hall of Famer John Mayberry is serving as honorary co-chair of the annual fundraiser.

Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Program Returns - The Royals begin the seventh year of the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat program by honoring Charles Wheeler, who was mayor of Kansas City, Mo., when then-Royals Stadium opened in 1973. Honorees are recognized during the Royals pregame ceremony and enjoy the game from "Buck's seat" behind home plate of Kauffman Stadium. FOX Sports Kansas City will again partner with the Royals on the program by featuring Buck Seat honorees during FSKC home telecasts. The Royals invite fans throughout the Midwest to nominate individuals they feel are worthy of filling "Buck's seat" by visiting www.royals.com/buckseat.

50/50 Raffle presented by Edelman & Thompson - Fans showed such great support of the 50/50 Friday fundraisers last season that Royals Charities will now be hosting a 50/50 Raffle for every Royals home game! Royals Charities staffers will sell raffle tickets from the time the gates open until the end of the sixth inning. One winning ticket will be selected with the winner taking home half of the evening's net proceeds. The other half will be donated to Royals Charities. www.royals.com/5050

Our Heroes Presented by Budweiser - The Royals and Budweiser will salute a member of the military during each home game by providing complimentary tickets and a special in-game recognition. Fans are encouraged to nominate an active or retired military member by visiting www.royals.com/ourheroes.

Kansas City Premiere of "42" - Together with Waddell & Reed, the Royals are proud to support a special advance screening of "42" at AMC BarryWoods 24 in Kansas City, Mo., to benefit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Kansas City Sports Commission. The movie, which chronicles the story of Jackie Robinson as he breaks Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, stars Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford. Tickets may be purchased online at www.42kansascity.com. Individual tickets and sponsorship packages, which include a Red Carpet VIP Reception with Ford and fellow "42" star Andre Holland and a Q&A panel discussion moderated by writer Joe Posnanski and featuring David Robinson, son of Jackie Robinson, are available.

Autism Awareness Day - Major League Baseball and the Royals partner with Autism Speaks to recognize April as National Autism Awareness Month and help raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Royals, MLB and Autism Speaks are partnering to create a special night featuring a fun, safe and family friendly environment for fans who are a part of the Speaks family. Specific sections in the Fountain Seats area and Outfield Box are reserved for this event and may be purchased at www.royals.com/autismspeaks. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit Autism Speaks.

Sunday, April 14 - Toronto Blue Jays vs. Royals, 1:10 p.m.

Royals Troopers - The Royals Grounds Crew welcomes select children who have a parent deployed through the United States military efforts overseas to join them in game preparations as part of the Royals Troopers program. The honored kids will help prepare the field prior to the Royals game and will receive game tickets and Royals merchandise.